Mid-South veteran in need of life-saving stem cell treatment

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Family and friends of a Memphis dental student are hoping the public’s generosity will help save a life.

Randy Bagay was supposed to graduate later this month with the rest of UT College of Dentistry's Class of 2019.

Instead, the 36-year-old husband, father and Navy veteran is now battling “B-Cell” Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Ten minutes and the swab of a cheek could be what saves Bagay’s life. His family says he needs stem cells to battle the disease.

“We’re hoping that maybe one of them will match with Randy if they have a similar ethnic background. He is (part) Filipino, (part) Chinese, so his odds are very against him because of his ethnic background. So they’re really wanting to get out in the community and get people with that same background to step forward and register as a potential donor,” donor coordinator Judith Garcia-Curzio said.

The registry drive continues Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.. at the UT College of Dentistry on Union Avenue.

Even if you’re not a match for Randy, you could be a life-saver for someone else.